Part I: Chapter 1 The Transaction Summary

The author tells a story about a surgeon who writes on the side and is published. William Zinsser is a professional writer with many years of experience. The two men answer student questions together at a Connecticut school.

The surgeon says that writing is easy; Zinsser says it is not, and so it goes throughout the entire session. Every question that a student asks brings a cheery answer from the surgeon, whereas Zinsser answers on the other side of the spectrum, stating that writing consists of a lot of work and most of that work is done alone. Professional writers work every day, regardless of how they are feeling or if they want to write. To the surgeon, writing is a pleasure and a release from the tensions of being a surgeon. The author suggests...